Guardians of Liberty by Lois Bolin, Ph.D. Old Naples Historian

“And since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.”
George Washington, first inaugural address, April 30, 1789.

The idea of liberty and the republican model of government began in Rome and were solidly linked two thousand years later at George Washington’s inauguration, when he endorsed the “sacred” experiment of the American people. The Declaration of Independence, written a century and a half after the colony of Virginia was first established in 1607, gave several generations of colonists a taste of freedom – freedom that was threatened with new British laws and taxes. Yet, the “sacred fire of liberty”, seared into their souls, launched the idea of national sovereignty and a declaration of independence for the 13 British colonies.

Today that sacred fire still burns. Not as brightly as before, but if we look closely, we will see its shadows, which have been cast far
and wide, leading Patriots back to its flames with fresh kindling to stoke the fires of liberty.

Keeping the Spirit Alive
It is the 78th anniversary of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms Speech.” It outlined the essential human freedoms:
freedom of speech and expression; freedom to worship God in our own way; freedom from want, and freedom from fear. Eleven months later those freedoms were challenged and four and half years later, on August 14, 1945, when Truman announced that World War II was over, Americans rejoiced knowing those freedoms were intact and our American Experiment had been
preserved.

Two hundred and forty-six years after the Declaration of Independence and two hundred and thirty-one years after the Constitution was ratified, SWFL Veterans Alliance will again honor these “guardians of the sacred fire of liberty” with the Spirit of 45 Weekend Tribute with the 12th Annual Greatest Generation & Beyond Tribute and Taps Across America. Due to COVID-19, last year we celebrated with twist. Seed to Table graciously hosted our event from noon to 4 pm on-site where we showcased our collaborators these past years as well as the 100 years young World War II legend, Joseph Ennis, who made the Ford v Ferrari movie possible. God willing, he will be there again. Look for upcoming info on our 80th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor coming December 2021.

Sacred Hearts
Our collaborators who share the mission to honor those who served and to keep the sacred fires of liberty burning keeps growing. This year we will feature Fallen Officers along with Valerie’s House, American Gold Star Mothers of SWFL, Collier County Veterans Council as well as long-time supporters USSVI Naples Chapter, RWSFF, VFW POST #7721 and its Auxiliary.

Our community’s tradition of observing Veterans Day in Cambier Park every November 11.

For more information contact
Chief William Carl at wcarl1722@aol.com.

Keep your calendar open for the “legendary” Legends Concert Series sponsored by The Fallen Officers and Robert L Zore Foundation beginning the first Friday in November 2021. The foundation supports the families of Police Officers killed in the line of duty across the country. For more info contact the founder, Rosemary Zore at 239-227-9696 or visit FallenOfficers.com. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Mike Randall at 209-442-3155.

As George Washington said, “A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?” SWFL Veterans Alliance is so proud to work these groups because the “preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government, is entrusted…” into all of our hand